Richard Donner directed Mel Gibson in all four Lethal Weapon movies, as well as Conspiracy Theory and Maverick. Of the oft-rumored Lethal Weapon 5, Donner tells the LA Times it’s not going to happen because Mel doesn’t want it to.

“Mel turned it down,” Donner said. “I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn’t involved. Knowing Mel, I would like to think that. Would that be the kind of thing he does? It sure would be.”

Problem was, Donner had his own plans for a sequel based on a story by him and the writer of Lethal Weapon 4, but Warners was more interested in a spec idea from Shane Black, who’d taken his script to Joel Silver.

The news of the Silver and Black project stirred press coverage and considerable blogosphere interest this summer, especially after actor Columbus Short said he was up for a supporting role and that the project was being fast-tracked. It was all frustrating for odd-man-out Donner… who had a falling out with Silver a few years ago, and didn’t enjoy being excluded from a franchise that he considers his signature work.
“Joel Silver tried to ace me out of it. He tried to put it together but made sure he didn’t do it until my contract was up. You know, it’s typical of the man. A guy who wasn’t even around at the beginning when we started on the first one. He came in late.”

If Richard Donner is to be believed, a fifth Lethal Weapon requires the approval of Mel Gibson, and Mel Gibson is loyal to Donner. Further complicating sequel plans, Gibson believes pigeons are the Jews of the sky.

I was invited to a party at Richard Donner’s house once, but i politely declined because i wasn’t ready to be the victim of cannibalization. but now, i am currently browsing German chat rooms in hopes that someone will once again want to eat me.

10.14.08 at 10:36 am

Mark It Zero

Donner, shut the fuck up. You’re like a child who wanders into the middle of negotiations and wants to know -

10.14.08 at 10:36 am

Jessica_is_sick_of_login_problems

Why do you have a pic of Jeff Fahey up for this? Oh wait..

10.14.08 at 10:38 am

Dr. Steve Brule

Mel’s also worried that running after cars and pumping his arms may cause him to shit his pants.

10.14.08 at 10:38 am

GenePoolParty

Mel is not as fit as he used to be. I think it’s time to switch to SplendaTits.

10.14.08 at 10:40 am

Michelle07

Donner, party of 2

10.14.08 at 10:40 am

Michelle07

Damnit Kurg, sorry.

10.14.08 at 10:41 am

Michelle07

Hey, who’s that hunk on Donner’s wall? MeYowza.

10.14.08 at 10:41 am

Burnsy

The “Silver and Black project” is also the name of Al Davis’ plan to have 16 different coaches next season.

10.14.08 at 10:42 am

Mark It Zero

Oh, I beg to differ. Lethal Weapon 5 most certainly will happen. However, now it takes place in my backyard and involves me, my buddy Michael Tanner, an asian prostitute, and several gallons of Jesus Juice. Soundtrack by 70’s supergroup Foreigner.

In the Silver and Black project, Riggs has to kick a 75 yard field goal to put the criminal behind bars.

10.14.08 at 10:43 am

Burnsy

“Mel turned it down,” Donner said. “I would like to think that Mel turned it down because I wasn’t involved. Knowing Mel, I would like to think that. Would that be the kind of thing he does? It sure would be.”

Added Donner, “Mel.”

10.14.08 at 10:44 am

Stinky Peet

That $140 Richard Donner spent to legally change his name from Maury Donneshevitz was money well spent.

10.14.08 at 10:45 am

Burnsy

A Jew had a falling out with Silver? Man, this economy is really fucked.

10.14.08 at 10:47 am

The Mighty Feklahr

nePoo-consider yourself nominated!

New up!

10.14.08 at 10:47 am

Burnsy

When asked if he’d sign on for Lethal Weapon 5, Danny Glover said, “I did a Saw movie.”

10.14.08 at 10:49 am

GenePoolParty

Thank you my brother from a Klingon mother.

10.14.08 at 10:50 am

Mark It Zero

Problems arose when Gibson confirmed the only weapon he now considers truly lethal is the Cross. Well, that and a 2,800 pound automobile fueled by anti-semitism, premium unleaded, and Schnapps.

10.14.08 at 10:50 am

BraveSrRob

Feklahr, what would I have to do to get you to send me a copy of the Dirty Harry MP3 you mentioned a couple of posts back?

I always thought Blitzen was the most talented of the reindeer anyway.

10.14.08 at 10:59 am

jokerswild

Donner party of 2?

Michelle, have I mentioned lately that I Heart U?

10.14.08 at 11:04 am

Burnsy

Um, so, what else is new?

10.14.08 at 11:05 am

**MISSSOULTAKER**

Awwww how sweet ;)

10.14.08 at 11:07 am

nezzer

Directors that have superman up on the wall in their rooms do it for the kids. I meant do it TO the kids.

10.14.08 at 11:08 am

jokerswild

You guys can shut the hell up. You didn’t even recognize the Bill Hicks reference. URDEAD2ME!

10.14.08 at 11:17 am

The Luchador

Is that a VCR behind Donner!?

10.14.08 at 11:17 am

The Mighty Feklahr

So, you little fuckers, how many of you tried to sign me up for NAMBLA’s newsletter, only to find out that the email I listed is already registered with them? Joke’s on you!

…

Dor sho gha!

10.14.08 at 11:19 am

Donkey Hodey

Joel Silver tried to ace me out of it.

Is Quentin Tarantino writing dialogue for Richard Donner now?

10.14.08 at 11:23 am

Burnsy

You guys can shut the hell up. You didn’t even recognize the Bill Hicks reference. URDEAD2ME!

Bill who now?

10.14.08 at 11:23 am

madman

Mel’s preparing for the Saddam Hussein story

10.14.08 at 11:27 am

Donkey Hodey

The real reason Gibson doesn’t want to do a Lethal Weapon 5 is that he finally has gotten too old for this shit.

10.14.08 at 11:31 am

Donkey Hodey

Gibson heard about Columbus Short and decided that he didn’t want to be accused of playing both sides of the fence after making Apocalypto.

10.14.08 at 11:33 am

Donkey Hodey

Can’t they just follow Gibson around with cameras for a while? I mean, aside from a few things that can be fixed in editing, I’m pretty sure that Gibson and Riggs are fairly close to being the same character at this point.

10.14.08 at 11:37 am

Donkey Hodey

Hey, New Up guy, you’re up…

10.14.08 at 12:11 pm

nezzer

Gibson was angry they couldn’t write in his idea of the villain – Jew Cunt.